Paul Thomas, bassist for Pat Roberts & The Heymakers, and Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, passed away early in the morning of Monday November 21st 2011. Born in Tucson (AZ), Paul played with nearly every blues/roots musicians in the Phoenix area and performed and recorded with the heaviest hitters of the Blues World (Bo Diddley, Ike Turner, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Rodgers, Pinetop Perkins, Nappy Brown, Lynwood Slim, Rick Estrin, Kid Ramos, Henry Grey, Mojo Bruford, Junior Watson, and Louisiana Red).

Paul was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2009, he joined the band Pat Roberts & the Heymakers. They recorded the fantastic album “Lonesome and Blue” (Electric Lotus Label) in 2011 and just had a show last Saturday.
Pat Roberts had these words for his partner and friend:
“I am still in shock, thank you to all my friends for your kind words. Paul was an amazing person and an incredible bassist, a very unique individual, and had a great sense of humor. He was loved by many and will be missed. His passing leaves a huge hole in the Phoenix roots music scene. Rest in Peace brother”.Many messages of sympathy appear on social networks as a tribute to Paul Thomas. His death is a huge loss to the Arizona music scene indeed. He will be deeply missed by his audience and his peers. Electric Lotus Label members had the fortune to work with Paul Thomas for the album « Lonesome and blue ». They present their condolences to his family and the band and share their sadness.